THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: How do you feel to be taking over soon from Stewart?
TREVOR NOAH: I don’t think of taking over. I’m joining the team. It’s a huge ship that has won Emmys and Peabodys for a reason, because it’s a fantastic team of writers and producers working to make that show magic. I get to be a part of that now as the host and a face, sharing that space with my fellow correspondents. I feel really confident. All I needed in my life was Jon’s blessing. That’s what I have, so I’m looking forward to being part of ‘The Best Damn News Show in the World’!
AP: You have a much different background than Stewart. How will that affect the show?
TN: One thing we both share: We are both progressives. Obviously where you’re from may inform a lot of your decisions. But traveling the world I’ve learned that progressives, regardless of their locations, think in a global space. And although I happen to be a guy who’s not from the same place that Jon’s from, I’ve lived in America for years before I went back out on the road, and I’ve learned to love the place. I’ll bring something different because I am different, but because it’s a team, it’ll be the same as well.
AP: You may not have heard: There’s a big U.S. election coming up. Are you looking forward to addressing that on the show?
TN (laughing): I love the drama around it! That’s going to be fascinating to be part of, this time. And that’s the environment ‘The Daily Show’ thrives in, taking that information and deciphering it and getting it out to everybody in a way that’s not biased in any way, hopefully, where you’re going, “This is the bare bones of what you need to know and how you need to know it, in the funniest way possible.”